Current Projects
Members of The Junior League of Riverside donate hundreds of hours each year to our community via projects and events. We believe we can help make a better and brighter community for the future!
DIAPER NEED AWARENESS
When hearing about diaper needs in the Inland Empire, many are quick to write off or judge those in need of a diaper bank. However, the Junior League of Riverside wants to address the real issues behind this need. The fact is, dual-income families make up a large percentage of families seeking diaper assistance. For a family of 3 or 4, a two bedroom apartment could constitute 60%-80% of their income. Adding on living costs and bills, groceries and transportation, and that leaves little to nothing left at the end of the month. How, then, can these families incorporate the cost of diapers into their monthly expenses?
JLR founded the Diaper Bank of the Inland Empire and seeks to raise diaper need awareness by holding drives to help provide diapers to those who need them. We accept only disposable diapers for babies and toddlers. While cloth diapers are technically legal in daycares across California, a large majority of daycares prohibit them. Even if a daycare does allow them, cloth diapers cannot be washed in any public washing machines (including those provided by housing complexes). Therefore, disposable diapers is the only option.
So please, help us in raising awareness and donating diapers! Keep an eye out for one of our many diaper drives via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Or feel free to drop off diapers at the office. We accept donations from all diaper brands and in all sizes (especially sizes 4-6!) You can also make a monetary donation to the diaper bank.
Little Libraries
Our little libraries are set up in several parks across Riverside. These libraries are filled a couple times a month with children's books in English and Spanish. The little libraries are for anyone to stop by and pick out books for reading. Books are both new and slightly used. We plan on having book drives in the coming months and partner with retailers to raise funds for the continual replacement of books in the little libraries.
The benefit of reading in our youth is unequivocally important. As the infographic below shows, reading aloud to children improves their cognitive thinking skills, builds their vocabulary and speaking skills, and provides a myriad of other benefits.
If you would like to donate books for our little library, feel free to bring new or gently used books to our events or at the office. You can also find our drives on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
What people are saying
“fitRiverside has always given me a sense of accomplishment. As a full time working mother of young children, providing other moms with an opportunity to take their children with them while they all exercise, has been important to me. Many gyms are costly and do not provide child care. Along with that, parents would like to participate with their children rather than leaving them for another hour with someone else or in front of a television set. Healthy eating and living can be expensive and with JLR alleviating some of that burden, I am proud to be associated with such a wonderful community activity.”
–Adriana Madril